Finding my own beat

Wednesday

Aug 27, 2014 at 8:00 AM

I like to think of myself as a product of musical lineage. While I wouldn’t compare my family to the folksy Carters or soulful Jackson 5, the DNA of my kin contains a dollop (or at least a dash) of groove.

By Lindsey Allenlindsey.allen@news-star.com

I like to think of myself as a product of musical lineage. While I wouldn’t compare my family to the folksy Carters or soulful Jackson 5, the DNA of my kin contains a dollop (or at least a dash) of groove.

My distant cousin is Dolly Parton. I have never met her, though some aunts and uncles more closely related to her have. It’s mostly a novelty fact we like to throw around at gatherings.

Significantly more immediate to me, my great-grandmother is a piano aficionado. This skill seems common among her generation, but I find her playing especially beautiful.

My grandmother plays the accordion with ease. My mother is drawn to the French horn and initially went to school to pursue a vocal career.

In third grade, I learned to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on the recorder. That’s the extent of my musical talent. I use the word “talent” loosely.

A staple in my movie collection is 1979’s “The Jerk,” featuring Steve Martin. One scene showcases a catchy tune played on a ukulele. When I saw this, I thought, “That’s it! That’s the instrument I need to finally join the musical ranks.”

I immediately went with a friend to a guitar store and purchased a ukulele. Because I selected the small instrument based solely on its red color, I’m certain the salesman had me figured out as an amateur. Still, I was confident in my musical destiny, so I also bought an instructional video. Surely I would be jamming in no time.

Nearly two years have passed and I can churn out “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” though the pauses for finger adjustments make it a 45-minute rendition.

I’ll keep trying my hand at various instruments, but I’ve come to accept the melodious gene skipped me. I love music, but I’m not musical.

I think art and music education in grade school is important for everyone, but especially for those who lack a natural knack… because, at least now, if my family ever forms a band, I’ll be right there in the background, rocking out on the recorder.